Netflix, Disney, Marvel to bring superheroes series to New York

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York has continued to lure film and television productions with generous tax credits.

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York has continued to lure film and television productions with generous tax credits. (Mike Groll / AP)

By Meredith Blake

In a huge coup for the New York-based production community, on Wednesday Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Disney, Marvel and Netflix announced that the upcoming "Flawed Heroes of Hell's Kitchen" series for Netflix will be filmed principally in New York state. The multi-series collaboration will represent the largest film or television project commitment in the history of the state, according to the governor's office.

Production is scheduled to begin this summer on the four series and miniseries based on the characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. All told, the project will include nearly 60 one-hour episodes and will bring an estimated 3,000 jobs to the region, 400 of them full time.

"Setting our production in New York City truly underscores the authenticity and excitement we plan to bring to the Defenders and their ‘Flawed Heroes of Hell’s Kitchen’ stories,” said Alan Fine, president of Marvel Entertainment.

Added Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer: "The Defenders are classic New York characters: smart, resourceful and tough enough to always stand up for what's right. We're delighted they're coming to life on their home turf thanks to Gov. Cuomo and his team."

In November, Netflix edged out numerous cable networks and streaming services in an intense competition for rights to the multi-series project. The "Flawed Heroes of Hell's Kitchen" is Marvel's most ambitious push into live-action television to date, following the launch last year of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." on ABC.

Under Cuomo, who took office in 2011, New York has continued to aggressively court film and television productions with generous tax credits. In 2013, applications for 124 films, 33 television programs and 26 pilots were submitted to the state.

Two suburban men assaulted and robbed a panhandler on the South Side on Monday—then came back and beat him again after one of the men left his cellphone at the scene, prosecutors said at a court hearing Tuesday.

A day after Trevor Noah was declared the new host of "The Daily Show," his graphic tweets targeting women and Jews are causing a social media backlash and Comedy Central is defending its newest late-night star.